Proof of Loyalty: Kazuo Yamane and the Nisei Soldiers of Hawaii

2017, Lucy Ostrander and Don Sellers, USA, 55 min.

Show Times

Sat, Apr 14th 8:00pm

The WWII heroism and loyalty of Hawaiian Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, is highlighted through one hero, Kazuo Yamane, whose little-known story is pertinent to today's debates on immigration. While citizens of Japanese heritage on the U.S. mainland were rounded up and incarcerated in detention camps, relatively few among Hawaii's 40% Japanese population were detained, and large numbers of men volunteered for military and other service. Drafted into the army prior to Pearl Harbor, Yamane was singled out for intelligence work due to his knowledge of the Japanese language and culture. The film details his substantial contributions to the war effort through work at the Pentagon and in Europe under Eisenhower.

Preceded by the short THE ORANGE STORY by Erika Street (2016, USA, 18 min.). Both in DCP digital. (BS)